Cashless medium for an electronic cashless system

ABSTRACT

An electronic cashless system uses a cashless medium for memorizing amount information and for performing an operation of amount information. The electronic cashless system comprises an automatic transaction terminal device having a reading/writing unit for writing amount information to the cashless medium, and a center device having a unit for identifying the account balance of multiple accounts and for storing amount information and a non-settled fund file unit for storing amount information written by the cashless medium and a seller ledger file means for identifying the account balance of the multiple seller&#39;s accounts and for storing amount information.

This application is a division of application Ser. No. 08/279,856, filedon Jul. 26, 1994 entitled AN ELECTRONIC CASHLESS SYSTEM, now pending;which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 07/959,458, filed Oct.9, 1992, abandoned in favor of application Ser. No. 08/279,856, which isa continuation application Ser. No. 07/959,458 is a continuation ofapplication Ser. No. 07/578,234, filed on Sep. 6, 1990, abandoned infavor of application Ser. No. 07/959,458.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an electronic cashless system for cashlesscommercial transactions.

The following three transaction forms are mainly used to enable cashlesscommercial transactions.

(1) A Transaction With a Credit Card

When the customer makes a purchase, he shows a credit card issued by abank for payment to a seller. Normally, the seller asks the issuer foran authorization to accept the credit card. If the acceptance isauthorized, the purchase transaction with the credit card is executed.The seller then asks the credit card company for payment. The creditcard company has banks related to the commercial transaction prepaid thesales amount from the customer's account and credit it to the seller'saccount.

(2) A Transaction With a Bank ATM Card

When the customer makes a purchase, he shows the seller a bank ATM(automatic teller machine) card intended for depositing and withdrawingcash from an ATM. The seller asks the customer's bank for paymentthrough a POS terminal that can directly log onto the bank's depositledger files at the point of sale. The bank immediately transfers theamount from the customer's account to the seller's account.

(3) A Transaction With a Prepaid Card

The customer makes a prior cash purchase of a prepaid card from a selleror an automatic vending machine. After the customer inserts the prepaidcard into the automatic vending machine and follows the necessaryinstructions, goods or services are provided and the appropriate amountis deducted from the prepaid card.

These three methods each have their disadvantages as follows.

(1) A Transaction With a Credit Card

A. The seller has to ask the issuer for an authorization to accept thecredit card and is required to do additional paperwork for creatinginvoices. Therefore, the use of credit cards is limited to purchases atretail outlets of higher priced goods and higher value-added goods.

B. To avoid a doubtful account or a situation, where not sufficientfunds were deposited at the time of purchase, a credit card is issuedonly to the customers who pass a certain test.

(2) A Transaction With a Bank ATM Card

A. The transfer of the amount from the customer's account to theseller's account must be made immediately after the execution of atransaction. Therefore, this requires an extraordinary processing duringthe bank's non-business hours, which is different from an ordinaryprocessing during the bank's business hours. It also requires a workrelated burden for the seller and an account balance control burden forthe customer.

B. Since the amount is transferred each time a purchase is made, theworkload and expense are large.

(3) A Transaction With a Prepaid Card

A. A prepaid or debit card is like a prepaid single use ticket. Thus, aone-time-only customer who does not buy the same kinds of products orand on the same shop repeatedly would not use such a card.

B. If a customer is asked to buy a prepaid card far in advance of hisplanned purchase of necessary goods and services, his current liquidityis reduced.

C. Since cash is required to buy a prepaid card anyway, it is not a truecashless commercial transaction.

Thus, although they have their particular applications, these cashlesstransaction methods do not constitute an almighty shopping means foreveryone.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide completely cashlesscommercial transactions.

A feature of the present invention resides in an electronic cashlesssystem comprising a cashless medium or electronic money for memorizingamount information and for performing an operation of amountinformation, an automatic transaction terminal device having areading/writing means for writing amount information to the cashlessmedium, a center device having a deposit ledger file, connected with theautomatic transaction terminal device, means for identifying the accountbalance of multiple accounts and for storing amount information and atleast a non-settled fund file means for storing amount informationwritten by the cashless medium and a seller ledger file means foridentifying the account balance of the multiple seller's accounts andfor storing amount information.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of the underlying principle,

FIGS. 2a-2b show the preferred embodiment of the cashless medium,

FIG. 3 shows the preferred embodiment of a bank center device,

FIG. 4 shows the preferred embodiment of an ATM (automatic tellermachine) terminal unit,

FIGS. 5a-5b show the preferred embodiment of a POS (point of sales)terminal unit,

FIGS. 6a-6b show the basic processing flow of a multi-function IC card,

FIGS. 7a-7d show the processing flow for a multi-function IC card,

FIG. 8 shows the processing flow for an ATM terminal unit,

FIG. 9 shows the processing flow for a read-only terminal unit,

FIGS. 10a-10b show the processing flow of a bank center unit,

FIG. 11 shows the amount replenishment flow to a card,

FIG. 12 shows the processing flow of a purchase with a card, and

FIG. 13 shows the processing flow for depositing a seller's sales amountto a bank.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Following is a detailed explanation of this invention.

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of the underlying principle. Thisconfiguration comprises a cashless medium 1 having memory means 11 formemorizing amount information, and an operation means 12; an ATMterminal unit 2 having a read/write means 2-1 for writing amountinformation into the cashless medium 1; a deposit ledger file 321 forstoring amount information that identifies the deposit balancecorresponding to one of many accounts; a non-settled fund file 322 forstoring amount information written at least in the cashless medium 1; abank center device 3 comprising a seller ledger file 323 for storingamount information that identifies the deposit balance corresponding tothe account of the seller and a medium balance log file 324 formemorizing balance of the cashless medium 1 when the ATM terminal unit 2writes the most recent amount information to the cashless medium 1; anda commercial transaction or POS terminal device 4 having a register unit51 to which amount information is input, a sending/receiving part 41 forat least sending and receiving amount information to and from saidcashless medium 1, and a sales tallying file 53 for tallying and storingamount information gained from said cashless medium 1, and that is atleast connected with the bank center device 3.

Below is an explanation of an operative input and an action in theconfiguration of FIG. 1.

The ATM terminal unit 2, at an issuing time of the cashless medium 1,writes into the memory part 11 any designated amount information notexceeding the upper limit of the amount information stored in thedeposit ledger file 321 of the bank center device 3. The owner of thecashless medium 1 carries it with him to a seller. The owner presentsthis cashless medium 1 at a clearing time. An operator at a retailoutlet operates the register unit 51 of the commercial transaction orPOS terminal device 4 and inputs amount information necessary to clearthe commercial transaction. The sending/receiving part 41 of thecommercial transaction or POS terminal device 4 sends inputted amountinformation necessary to clear the commercial i.e. the amount of goodsand services changing hands. The operation means 12 of the cashlessmedium 1 makes an operation processing based on the amount informationreceived from the commercial transaction or POS terminal device 4 andthe amount information memorized in the memory means 11. In short, theoperation means 12 performs the an operation of subtracting the amountindicated by the amount information received from the commercialtransaction or POS terminal device 4 from the amount indicated by theamount information stored in the memory means 11. After this operation,if amount information in excess of the amount necessary for clearing thecommercial transaction is stored in the memory means 11 of the cashlessmedium 1, the cashless medium 1 notifies such an occurrence to thecommercial transaction or POS terminal device 4. After thisnotification, the commercial transaction or POS terminal device 4 sendsthe information that the commercial transaction has taken place to thecashless medium 1 and stores the same amount information in the salestallying file 53 classified by the clearing bank. These actions concludea direct clearing of the commercial transaction with the owner of thecashless medium 1.

Next, an indirect clearing of the commercial transaction is made, i.e. aclearing with the bank center device 3. First, amount information storedin the sales tallying file 53 is sent to the bank center device 3 of theproper clearing bank. Based on the amount information sent, the bankcenter device 3 prepaids the necessary amount to the non-settled fundfile 322 and credits the same to the appropriate account of the sellerin the seller ledger file 323.

Since a transaction is thus consummated in the above manner. Thisinvention thus enables a complete cashless commercial transaction.

Meanwhile, when amount information memorized in the memory means 11 ofthe cashless medium 1 is rewritten, the cashless medium 1 is confirmedof its validity first by being connected to the ATM terminal unit 2.This could be done, for instance, by a password. After amountinformation inputted by the owner, such as that pertaining to theincrease in the authorized amount, is sent to the bank center device 3,the bank center device 3 reads out information from the deposit ledgerfile 321 of the cashless medium 1 and stores the information in thedeposit ledger file 321 after revising it. It also settles thenon-settled funds stored in the non-settled fund file 322 and stores thebalance in the medium balance log file 324. After this storingoperation, the bank center device 3 sends a termination notice to theATM terminal unit 2, which updates the balance memorized by the memorymeans 11 of the cashless medium 1 so that a new balance is certain(usable). This revision can be done by the inputted amount immediatelyafter the validity of the cashless medium 1 is confirmed and fixed afterthe termination notice from bank center device 3. The above actionsenable a complete cashless commercial transaction by making the clearingcashless and by deducting the amount at settlement time.

The following is the description of each device.

(1) Cashless Medium (Refer to FIG. 2.)

It is a substitute for an existing bank ATM card (magnetic stripe card).Its functions are technologically extended and its purpose is expanded.It is a multi-function IC card containing an electronic brain (a memorypart and an operation and processing part).

The multi-function IC card 21, a cashless medium, contains an operationcontrol part 211, an amount information memory part 212, a keywordmemory part 213 and a battery 214, and has display part 215 (forinstance a liquid crystal display), input keys 216 (a function key and anumeric key) and a contact part 217 (an interface with an ATM terminalunit) on its an external surface.

Next, the actions of the cashless medium are explained by referring toFIGS. 7A through 7D.

First, a customer who wants to make an electronic cashless commercialtransaction must have amount information for a shopping process writtenon a multi-function IC card 21, appropriately issued by a valid issuer.This amount in the amount information can be designated arbitrarily asany amount not exceeding the limit set between the customer and theissuer of the multi-function IC card as cashless medium 1.

The amount information needs to be memorized in the amount informationmemory part 212 of the multi-function IC card 21. If the customer knowsthe balance in the amount information memory party 212 of themulti-function IC card 21, he can make an appropriate replenishingaction as to how much amount is necessary to be replenished.

The customer turns on the power of the multi-function IC card 21 withits input keys 216. When the power of the multi-function IC card 21 isturned on, as shown in FIG. 7A, the multi-function IC card 21 indicatesa "power-on" status at the display part 215, for example by showing anumeric digit "0" by a setting of a "power-on" status (step 611). Atthis time, if the card is already unusable, an unusable status isdetected by a card usage failure status determination (step 621). Themulti-function IC card 21 notifies the owner that the card is unusableby indicating an "X" sign at a sign digit of the card's display part215, for example, and turns off its own power through a terminationprocessing (step 622).

When a card usage failure determination (step 621) judges "NO", i.e. thecard being NOT unusable, the multi-function IC card 21 makes a validitycheck of the card use by a personal identification code individuallyregistered by each owner (step 613). This personal identification code,which is registered when the card is issued, can be chosen to beunnecessary to suit the owner's convenience.

If the multi-function IC card 21 detects no registering of a personalidentification code in any personal identification code determination(step 613), for counting the number of wrong personal identificationcode inputs by the owner, a personal identification code mismatchcounter is initialized (cleared) to standby for a personalidentification code input. Next, the multi-function IC card 21 becomesready for an input of a personal identification code (step 615) by theowner. When the owner inputs his personal identification code with inputkeys 216, the multi-function IC card 21 detects the input throughpersonal identification code determination (step 616), and a judgment ismade as to whether an inputted personal identification code matches aregistered personal identification code at step 617. If the formermismatches the latter, the value of the input counter of a personalidentification code mismatch is increased by one, and whether or not thenumber of mismatches exceeds a limit is judged in step 619. If it doesnot, an indication of a personal identification code mismatch is givento the owner by a display part 215 in step 623, for instance with anindication of an "E" at a numeric digit, and the multi-function IC card21 waits for a new input of a personal identification code in step 615.If the number of mismatches is judged to exceed the limit number by alimit judgment (step 619), the multi-function IC card 21 registers acard usage failure status in its internal memory part in step 620, forinstance with an invalid card flag within the keyword memory part 213.After this status is registered, it becomes impossible for the owner toclear it. Next, multi-function IC card 21 notifies the owner, who is thecard user, that the card is in a card usage failure status, e.g. byindicating an "X" sign in a code digit in display part 215. Thereafter,multi-function IC card 21 stops its own processing by turning off itspower according to a termination processing (step 622). If the wrongpersonal identification code is inputted several times, the holder isnot deemed to be the authorized owner of the multi-function IC card 21.Thus, once a limited number by which the personal identification code isinput is exceeded, the card usage failure status is maintained, even ifthe power of the card is turned on. Thus, an unauthorized holder isprevented from abusing the card.

If the multi-function IC card 21 identifies a match (YES) of a personalidentification code inputted by the holder and one memorized internallyin step 617 or no personal identification code is registered (judged YESin step 63), the following processings are made. As shown in FIG. 7B(wherein [A], [B], [C], [Y], [z], [A1], [B1] and [B2] are terminals thatshow the processing flow), by an indication processing of a card usageready status (step 631) in display part 215, the multi-function IC card21 notifies the owner that the card is in a usable state, for instanceby showing a double circle in the code digit. The multi-function IC card21 is thus put in an activated state and stands by for an input or areceipt detection (step 632). Thereafter, the owner of the card canconfirm the card's remaining balance or check a detail of the prepaidsand credits as a local card processing, shop at a retailing outlet, orincrease or decrease the amount stored in the card by transferring fundsrespectively from or to the other deposit accounts with an ATM terminalunit. Next, to detect the arrival of these demands (step 633), themulti-function IC card 21 judges a time-over, a power key input, aconfirmation key input, and a communication with an ATM terminal unit insteps 634, 635, 636 and 637 respectively.

When the card is left without further instruction after being put in aready status, such a condition is detected (YES) by a time-overdetermination (step 633), and the card stops its actions afterperforming a termination process 622.

A power key set in the card's input keys 216 turns the card's power onand off. If an owner leaves the power on after making necessaryprocessings by activating the card, the card's battery 214 is exhaustedunnecessarily. To prevent such battery exhaustion, like an automaticpower shut down function of an electronic calculator, the multi-functionIC card 21 automatically turns its own power off, if time-overdetermination step 633 does not detect any input or communication over acertain period of time.

When an amount replenishment is made for multi-function IC card 21,multi-function IC card 21 detects (YES) that a communication with theATM terminal unit 2 will be made, when the card is inserted into the ATMterminal unit 2 in step 636 and begins a communication with the ATMterminal unit 2 via a contact part 217 of the multi-function IC card 21.

As shown in FIG. 7D, the multi-function IC card 21 first notifies thekeyword and the bank number stored in its own keyword memory part 213 toATM terminal unit 2 for mutual verification (step 671), and stands byfor a processing kind. Inputting a replenishing amount, the owneroperates ATM terminal unit 2 for transferring the amount from hisdeposit account to the multi-function IC card 21 in its amountinformation memory part 212. Then, the multi-function IC card 21 standsby to receive the processing kind (step 672) from the ATM terminal unit2. If the processing kind is judged (YES) as a replenishment processing(step 673), the multi-function IC card 21 stands by to receiveinformation about the replenishing amount and the replenishment datefrom ATM terminal unit 2 (step 674). After receiving the information,the replenishing amount contained in the information received from theATM terminal unit 2 and the remaining balance memorized in the amountinformation memory part 212 within the card are added together toproduce a new balance (step 675). This addition is executed in theoperation control part 211. Then the information about the new balanceis stored in the amount information memory part 212 within the card by aprocessing of revising amount information memory (step 676). Thus thereplenishment of the amount specified by the owner from his bank accountto amount information memory part 212 within the card is concluded. Thisnew balance is sent to the ATM terminal unit 2 to be memorized by acenter processing unit (step 677). Next, as a record for executingamount replenishment transactions, the replenishing amount and date arememorized in the transaction detail memory part of the multi-function ICcard 21 (step 678). This memory is stored according to an LIFO (Last-In,First-Out) method, so that the owner can confirm transactions startingwith the most recent one.

When all the revision processes by the operation control part 211 withinthe multi-function IC card 21 are finished, the replenishing amount isdisplayed on the display part 215 in replenishing amount displayprocessing (step 679). Next, the information that the replenishmentprocessing within the multi-function IC card 21 has finished is sent tothe ATM terminal unit 2 (step 680), and multi-function IC card 21 standsby for an input to the power key (step 681). Then, the processings arefinished with a time-over detection (YES) by a time-over detectingprocessing (step 682) or with a power off (YES) by power key detectingprocessing (step 683) of the input keys 216. The owner can verify theamount replenished at this time by looking at the amount shown on thedisplay part 215 of the card just coming out from the ATM terminal unit2.

Meanwhile, when the owner deposits at least a part of the card's balanceto his deposit account, the multi-function IC card 21, after standing byto receive a processing from the ATM terminal unit 2, detects that it isnot a replenishment processing (NO). Then, multi-function IC card 21judges whether it is a depositing processing in a judgment processing(step 684). If the processing kind is undefined (NO), the multi-functionIC card 21 notifies the ATM terminal unit of the transaction kind error(step 689) and reverts to displaying a card-usage-ready status (step631). When the owner transfers a part of the amount stored in themulti-function IC card 21 back to the deposit account, themulti-function IC card 21 stands by to receive the information on thetransferred amount and the transaction date from the ATM terminal unit 2in the receiving-ready processing (step 685), and when the receipt ofthe information is consummated, a stored amount deficiency judgmentprocessing (step 686) compares the transferred amount and the storedbalance in the amount information memory part 212. If the redepositingamount is greater, a not-sufficient-fund judgment (NO) is made, and theATM terminal unit 2 is notified of the not sufficient fund balance instep 688. Then, control is handed over to the card-usage-ready statusdisplay step 631, and the multi-function IC card 21 stands by for asubsequent input.

When the stored balance is greater than the redepositing amount, aredepositing processing becomes possible, and the balance of the storedamount is reduced by the redepositing amount in a reduction processing(step 687). Then, a processing similar to a balance information revisingprocessing (step 676) of a replenishment processing is performed, sothat the balance information memory in amount information memory part212 is revised. That is, the ATM terminal unit 2 is notified of the newreduced balance to be memorized in a medium balance log file 34 of thebank center device 3. After the multi-function IC card 21 memorizes theredepositing amount and the transaction date in transaction detailmemory processing (step 678), the display part 215 of the multi-functionIC card 21 shows the redepositing amount with a negative sign, forinstance, so that the owner can confirm the transferring amount byviewing the display part 215. Then, the multi-function IC card 21notifies the ATM terminal unit 2 of the processing consummation in asending processing (step 680), and stands by for a power key inputstarting from step 681 or a power-off instruction for an elapsed timeover a predetermined period by a time-over judgment step. Because thereis some time before the power is turned off, the owner can confirm theprocessing result of the transaction with the ATM terminal unit 2 bylooking at the display part 215. Besides, even if the owner forgets toturn the power off, it is turned off automatically after a predeterminedtime has elapsed. Thus, the battery 214 is prevented from beingexhausted unnecessarily and his privacy is protected by eliminating thepossibility of the display part 215 being seen by others.

When the owner inquires about the stored balance, the date and amount ofpast purchases, the date and amount of a replenishment or a transferback to his deposit account, the multi-function IC card 21 can displaythe balance and transaction details memorized in the amount informationmemory part 212 on the display part 215. In this case, after the ownerputs the multi-function IC card 21 in a card-usage-ready status byactivating the card, he operates the inquiry key of the input keys 216.The card is in an activated status and the multi-function IC card 21detects this by an inquiry key detecting processing (step 635). Theprocessing status of this inquiry key becomes a card's local processingof the multi-function IC card 21 independently.

As shown in FIG. 7C, the multi-function IC card 21 reads out the balancefrom the amount information memory part 212 of the card by a storedbalance read out processing (step 651) with an inquiry key detection anddisplays the stored balance in the display part 215 by a displayprocessing (step 652). The multi-function IC card 21 stands by for thenext key input (step 653), while the balance is displayed. If the ownerleaves the card alone with the balance displayed, a time-over isdetected after an elapse of a predetermined time, control is handed overto a consummation processing (step 622), and the power is turned off fora consummation.

Meanwhile, if the owner further hits the inquiry key when the card is ina balance displaying mode, the hitting is detected by an inquiry keyinput detection processing (step 655), and the multi-function IC card 21reads out the most recent of the dates recorded in the date of thetransaction detail memory part and displays the date information on thedisplay part 215 by a display processing (step 657). After the dateinformation is displayed, the multi-function IC card 21 stands by forthe next key input in a key input stand-by processing (step 658). If theowner leaves the multi-function IC card 21 alone, a time-over isdetected (step 659) and the processings are consummated. If the inquirykey is further hit, the inquiry key detection processing (step 660)detects the input, so that the most recent piece of amount informationof the transaction date is read from the transaction detail memory partin step 661. The amount information is then displayed on the displaypart 215 by a display processing (step 662); e.g. a number with apositive sign is displayed if the transaction is an amountreplenishment. From the inquiry key input detecting processing (step653) after the stored balance inquiry step to amount informationprocessing (step 662), as long as an inquiry key hitting is detected,the transaction date and the transaction amount are displayedalternately in counter-chronological order. After all pieces oftransaction detail are displayed, the most recent piece of informationon transaction detail is displayed. The data stored in the transactiondetail memory part is displayed repeatedly in counter-chronologicalorder, until control is handed over to a control by either aconsummation processing (step 622) that turns off the power by detectinga hitting of a power key of the input keys 216 or a card-usage-readystatus processing (step 631), for instance, pursuant to a zero keydetection processing (step 664).

The owner can confirm the stored balance by this balance inquiry. Ifnecessary, he can decide whether to replenish an amount to the card ortransfer an amount to his deposit account. By checking the transactiondetail, he can determine when and how many of purchases, replenishmentsor redepositings were made. The processings can be consummated with apower key at any point, or a card-usage-ready status can be created witha numeric key so that a processing can be executed.

When an owner makes a purchase with the multi-function IC card 21 afterhe puts it in a card-usage-ready status, he inserts it into the seller'sPOS terminal device,-which is a card reading terminal. The card isinserted into the card reading/writing part 521 of FIG. 5A, so that itcan communicate bi-directionally with the card contacting part 217.

As shown in FIG. 7B, after a series of judgment steps of acard-usage-ready status display processing (step 631) of themulti-function IC card 21, the multi-function IC card 21 detects that itis inserted into the card's reading/writing part 521 of a cardreading/writing unit 52, by a receipt at the card's contacting part 217of a signal from a POS terminal device (YES in step 637). Next, toconfirm that the POS terminal device is a valid reading terminal, themulti-function IC card 21 reads out the stored keyword and bank numberfrom the keyword memory part 213 and notifies the POS terminal device,which is a reading terminal. Then, the multi-function IC card 21 standsby to receive the information on the amount and the date of the owner'spurchase from the reading terminal in a receiving consummation judgmentprocessing (step 639). The information on the amount and date of apurchase is inputted by a POS registering unit 51 of the POS terminaldevice, which is a reading terminal, and sent to the card. When themulti-function IC card 21 detects a consummation of receiving theinformation, it reads out the stored balance from the amount informationmemory part 212 in a balance deficiency judgment processing (step 640)to compare it with the purchase amount. Since a payment is possible ifthe stored amount is greater than or equal to the purchase amount, themulti-function IC card 21 reduces the purchase amount from the storedbalance and revises the data of the amount information memory part 212as the new stored balance. In a transaction detail memory processing(step 642), the multi-function IC card 21 memorizes the data on theamount and date of the purchase as an additional transaction detailmemory of the amount information memory part 212. This additional memoryis stored in a predetermined memory area, so that a read-out incounter-chronological order in response to an inquiry of the storedbalance and transaction detail can be performed.

Next, the multi-function IC card 21 displays the purchase amount in itsdisplay part 215 pursuant to an amount display processing (step 643).The multi-function IC card 21 notifies the POS terminal device 4 of theprocessing consummation of the purchase by sending a processingconsummation signal to the POS terminal device (step 644) with thisdisplay on. A mutual verification based on what is displayed enables theowner to confirm the purchase amount with the amount actually paid bythe card, when he receives the card returned from the insertion to thePOS terminal.

Meanwhile, if a balance is found to be not sufficient for the purchaseamount in a stored balance judgment processing (step 640), theinformation that the stored balance is not sufficient is sent to the POSterminal in step 645. The POS terminal device 4 that receives thisinformation notifies this condition to the POS terminal device operatorand advises him to forego the commercial transaction, change the amountpaid with the card or use other method of commercial transaction. Thishelps the seller to handle a customer flexibly.

After these processings are completed, the multi-function IC card 21changes the control to stand by for a detection of a next inputintervention (step 632), and stands by until a key input or a receivingof a signal from the POS terminal device 4 is detected. In the meantime, if no detection is made for a predetermined time period, atime-over is detected in the time-over judgment (step 633) and the poweris turned off.

(2) ATM Terminal Unit 2 (Refer to FIG. 3.)

Ordinarily, an ATM terminal unit 2 is connected with a bank centerdevice 3 and is and equipped with a medium card reading/writing part411, a medium card control part 412, an input operation control part413, an operation processing part 410 and a line controlling unit 414.

The ATM terminal unit 2 writes the information about the amount theowner transfers between his bank deposit account and the multi-functionIC card 21 i.e. the cashless medium 1.

The following is an explanation of the actions shown in FIG. 8.

The owner inputs the valid personal identification code of the card byturning on the power of the multi-function IC card 21. After confirmingthe card-usage-ready status, he makes a selection input of a transactionkind to an ATM terminal unit 2. At this time, the ATM terminal unit 2instructs the owner to select a transaction kind in a transactionselection screen display processing (step 711) by having him make aselection of input of a transaction kind. The owner makes the selectioninput of a transaction kind by following this instruction. Afterdetecting an input in a condition of standing by for the detection of aselection input (step 712), the ATM terminal unit 2 reads thetransaction kind selected by the input operation control part 413 (step713). Here, the ATM terminal unit 2 displays an instruction to insertthe multi-function IC card 21 and stands by until a card insertion tothe card reading/writing part 411 is detected. The detection of the cardinsertion triggers a communication between the ATM terminal unit 2 andthe multi-function IC card 21, and the ATM terminal unit 2 receives theinformation on the card's keyword and bank number (step 716). Usingthese data, a validity check of the multi-function IC card 21 isperformed (step 717). If it is judged to be invalid (NO), the ATMterminal unit 2 displays an invalid card insertion by a display step 721and concludes its processing by ejecting the card (step 720). If it isjudged to be valid (YES), the ATM terminal unit 2 reads the bank depositaccount number from the multi-function IC card 21 (step 718). The ATMterminal unit 2 judges whether the transaction kind is an amountreplenishment by a judgment processing (step 731) that judges thetransaction kind inputted by an owner. If the transaction kind is anamount replenishment (YES), the ATM terminal unit 2 displays aninstruction to input the personal identification code of the account(step 732), and stands by for an input of the personal identificationcode (step 733). When the personal identification code is inputted, theATM terminal unit 2 sends the transaction kind, the deposit accountnumber and personal identification code to the bank center device 3using a line controlling unit (step 734) and asks for a validity check.The ATM terminal unit 2 stands by for the check processing by the bankcenter device 3 (step 735), and judges whether the check result isnormal or not. If the ATM terminal unit 2 judges the personalidentification code to be invalid, the invalidity of the personalidentification code input is displayed to the owner (step 746) andterminates its processings after ejecting the cashless medium 1. If theATM terminal unit 2 judges the personal identification code to be valid,the ATM terminal unit 2 instructs the owner to input the amount he wantsto replenish to the cashless medium 1 (step 737). After detecting theamount input consummation in an amount input detection processing (step738), the replenishing amount is sent to the bank center device 3 (step739). This amount is notified to the bank center device 3 as thewithdrawal amount from the deposit account. Next, the ATM terminal unit2 stands by for the consummation of the processing of the bank centerdevice 3 (step 740) and judges whether it is normal (step 741). If theATM terminal unit 2 judges that the consummation is abnormal (NO), theowner of the multi-function IC card 21 has an insufficient balance inhis deposit account, and the owner is notified of his account balancedeficiency (step 747), and the ATM terminal unit 2 terminates itsprocessing. If the ATM terminal unit 2 judges that the consummation isnormal (YES), the owner's withdrawal of his inputted amount is confirmedand the ATM terminal unit 2 knows it is possible to execute an amountreplenishment to the multi-function IC card 21. Then, the ATM terminalunit 2 sends the replenishing amount to the multi-function IC card 21 ina communication processing (step 742). The ATM terminal unit 2 stands byfor the consummation of the replenishment processing within themulti-function IC card 21 in a card processing consummation stand byprocessing (step 743). When the ATM terminal unit 2 consummates thisprocessing, it receives the new balance stored in the multi-function ICcard 21 from the card (step 744), and sends the new balance to the bankcenter device 3, which in turn writes the new balance to its mediumbalance log file 324. The bank center device 3 stands by for theprocessing consummation (step 719), and when the ATM terminal unit 2receives the consummation notice, it ejects the multi-function IC card21 in a card ejection step 720. The owner receives the ejected themulti-function IC card 21 and confirms the consummation of the amountreplenishment to it by taking a look at the amount indicated on thecard's display part 215.

If the transaction kind is judged not (NO) to be an amount replenishment(step 731), the ATM terminal unit 2 judges whether the transaction kindis a redepositing in a redepositing judgment processing (step 751). Ifthe transaction kind is not a redepositing, the ATM terminal unit 2executes other processings according to the particular transaction kindand consummates its processings (step 761).

Redepositing is defined as the owner depositing at least a part of thebalance stored in the multi-function IC card 21 back to his depositaccount. It means that the multi-function IC card 21 transfers a part ofthe amount stored in the multi-function IC card 21 back to the depositaccount via the bank center device 3.

If the transaction kind is judged (YES) to be a redepositing, the ATMterminal unit 2 sends the transaction kind and the deposit accountnumber to the bank center device 3 and asks for a validity check (step752). The ATM terminal unit 2 stands by for the processing consummationat the bank center device 3 (step 753), and instructs the owner to inputthe redepositing amount (step 754). When the ATM terminal unit 2 detectsthe input amount (step 755), the ATM terminal unit 2 notifies themulti-function IC card 21 of the redepositing amount (step 756). The ATMterminal unit 2 then stands by for a consummation of the stored balancesubtraction processing within the multi-function IC card 21 (step 757),and judges whether the processing within the multi-function IC card 21is properly consummated (step 758). If the stored balance is less thanthe redepositing amount, redepositing cannot be performed, and themulti-function IC card 21 sends the balance deficiency. The ATM terminalunit 2 notifies the owner who operates the ATM terminal unit 2 bydisplaying the result (step 762). If the intra-card processing isproperly consummated, a redepositing from the multi-function IC card 21becomes possible, and the ATM terminal unit 2 receives the new balancestored in the multi-function IC card 21 (step 759), and notifies theredepositing amount and the new balance stored in the card to the bankcenter device 3. The ATM terminal unit 2 stands by for the consummationof the deposit account revising stand by processing at the bank centerdevice 3 (step 719), and after ejecting the multi-function IC card 21(step 720), the ATM terminal unit 2 consummates its processing. Thus,the ATM terminal unit 2 can subtract the redepositing amount specifiedby the owner from the amount stored in the card and redeposit it to thedeposit account of the bank center device 3.

(3) A POS Terminal Device (Refer to FIGS. 5A and 5B.)

A card reading/writing unit 52 is added to an ordinary seller POSregister unit 51 for merchandise sales management.

The card reading/writing unit 52 comprises a card reading/writing part521 for controlling their reading and writing, a sales tallying file 53,a card control part 522, a sales tallying file control part 524, anoperation processing part 520 and a line controlling unit 525.

The sales tallying file 53 stores a transaction number total 532 and anamount total 533 tallied by a billed bank number 531, as well as a grandtotal 534.

The following is a explanation of an action of a POS terminal device,shown in FIG. 9.

When an owner shops at a seller with the cashless medium 1, the cardreading/writing unit 52 of the POS register unit 51 shown in FIG. 5Abecomes a reading terminal unit of the multi-function IC card 21. ThePOS register unit 51 performs a shopping check-out processing by aseller. If a commercial transaction is with the multi-function IC card21, the POS register unit 51 and the card reading/writing unit 52perform a sales processing by communicating with each other. The POSterminal device performs its processing, when the multi-function IC card21 is inserted into the card reading/writing unit 52. There are threekinds of the multi-function IC card 21. A shopping card for making apurchase, discussed previously, a maintenance card for maintaining thecard reading/writing unit 52,and a settlement card for settling a salestallying file that stores amount data within the card reading/writingunit 52 by a sales processing. The card inserted by a customer islimited to the shopping card among the above three kinds.

A customer inserts his card into the card reading/writing part 521 ofthe card reading/writing unit 52 to clear his shopping.

A POS terminal device stands by for a detection of an insertion of themulti-function IC card 21 (step 811). If a card insertion is detected,the POS terminal device judges in a card kind judgment processing (step812) whether the inserted card is a shopping card. If the POS terminaldevice judges that the inserted card is in fact a shopping card (YES),the POS terminal device receives from the multi-function IC card 21 thekeyword and bank number stored respectively in the keyword memory part213 and the amount information memory part 212 (step 813). The POSterminal device then performs a validity check of the card (step 814).If it judges it to be invalid (NO), the POS terminal device sends thekeyword mismatch to the POS register unit 51 in a mismatch noticeprocessing (step 827), and ejects the card in a card ejecting processing(step 823) and consummates its processing. If the POS terminal devicejudges that the inserted card is valid (YES), the POS terminal devicesends the information that the card is accepted by a POS register noticeprocessing (step 815) to the POS register unit 51. After this status,normal card sales processings are executed.

First, after confirming a receipt consummation of a card acceptancenotice sent to the POS register unit 51 (step 816), the POS terminaldevice receives the information on the purchase amount from the POSregister unit 51 (step 817). At this time, the POS terminal devicesimultaneously receives the date as well as the amount of the commercialtransaction from the POS register unit 51. The information on the amountand the date of the commercial transaction is sent to the multi-functionIC card 21 in a card sending processing (step 818). The POS terminaldevice stands by for a consummation of the intra-card purchaseprocessing (step 819). When the POS terminal device receives theconsummation of the purchase processing within the multi-function ICcard 21 by a card processing judgment processing (step 820), the POSterminal device revises the sales tallying file 53 in a file revisingprocessing (step 821), using the data of the keyword and bank numberalready received from the card and the data of the amount and date ofthe commercial transaction as the revision data. The revision isexecuted by adding the number and amount of the commercial transactionclassified by the bank number of the issuing bank. All the commercialtransaction data identified by the same bank number arecharacteristically tallied in a memory on the sales tallying file 53.Therefore, even if the seller deals with a large number of customers,the memory capacity on the sales tallying file 53 becomes the capacitygoverned by the number of financial institutions that issue themulti-function IC card 21.

When the revision of the sales tallying file 53 is consummated, the POSterminal device sends a processing consummation in a processingconsummation notice processing (step 822) to the POS register unit 51.After ejecting the multi-function IC card 21, in a card ejectingprocessing (step 823), the POS terminal device consummates itsprocessing.

If the inserted card is detected in the card kind judgment processing(step 824) to be a maintenance card for the POS terminal device ratherthan a shopping card, the POS terminal device has its maintenancepersonnel maintain the hardware of the card reading/writing unit 52 orthe software that works on the operation processing part 520 in amaintenance card processing (step 829).

Meanwhile, if the inserted card is detected by the card kind judgmenttransaction (step 825) to be a settlement card, the POS terminal deviceperforms a closing processing of the sales tallying file 53 in asettlement card processing (step 830). The closing processing isperformed in preparation for sending the sales tallying file 53 to thebank center device 3 shown in FIG. 1. If any of the sales tallying datais closed, it will be re-added as one sales tallying file. Thecommunication to the bank center device 3 is performed directly by acommunication line controlled primarily by the bank center device 3 orby a transmission system to it on a side connected with the POS registerunit 51. The content of the communication to the bank center device 3 orthe transmission system comprises a datum part codified in a mannerpredetermined by the bank center device 3 and an ordinary text datumpart "as is" of the sales tallying file 53. The codification is meant tobe for security protection of the data in the sales tallying file 53,while they are being sent to the bank center device 3. (The sendingprocessing to the bank center device 3 is not shown in the drawings.)

(3) The Bank Center Device 3 (Refer to FIG. 4.)

The bank center device 3 comprises the following files: a deposit ledgerfile 321, a non-settled fund file 322, a seller ledger file 323 (for aseller's account) and a medium balance log file 324. It also comprisesan operation processing part 31 (which includes a deposit ledger filecontrol part 311, a non-settled fund file control part 312, a sellerledger file control part, a medium balance log file control part 314 andan operation control part 310) that controls reading and writing of eachof the above files, and a line controlling unit 33.

The following is an explanation of the bank center device 3, byreferring to FIGS. 10A and 10B.

The bank center device 3, as shown in FIG. 3, performs on-line real-timeprocessing actions, such as moving funds between the deposit ledger file321 and the non-settled fund file 322 and logging the stored balance,when the card's owner replenishes the multi-function IC card 21 orredeposits a part of the amount stored in the multi-function IC card 21.It also performs batch processing actions, such as making a fundsettlement between the non-settled fund file 322 and the seller ledgerfile 323 by up-loading the sales tallying file 53 in the POS terminaldevice.

As shown in FIG. 10A, in the on-line real-time processing with the ATMterminal unit 2, after the customer begins a processing at the ATMterminal unit 2, the bank center device 3 receives the transaction kind,the account number for identifying the deposit ledger file 321 and thepersonal identification code of the account from the ATM terminal unit 2(step 911). Then, the bank center device 3 reads the content of thedeposit ledger 321 (step 912). When the bank center device 3 detects areplenishment processing in a transaction kind judgment processing (step921), the bank center device 3 judges whether the personalidentification code inputted by the customer matches that memorized inthe deposit ledger file 321 in a judging step 922. If the bank centerdevice 3 detects a mismatch, it sends the information about the mismatchof the personal identification code to the ATM terminal unit 2 (step933), rejects a fund withdrawal from the deposit ledger file 321 andconsummates the processing. If the bank center device 3 detects a match,it stands by to receive a data about the amount the customer inputs fromthe ATM terminal unit 2 (step 924). The receiving amount data is thedata of the amount replenished to the cashless medium 1. The amount issubtracted from the customer's account in the deposit ledger file 321and added to the non-settled fund file 322. On receiving the amountdata, the bank center device 3 compares the amount with the customer'saccount balance memorized in the deposit ledger file 321 in a judgingprocessing (step 925). If the account balance is less than thereplenishing amount, the bank center device 3 sends an account balancedeficiency to the ATM terminal unit 2 (step 932) and consummates theprocessing. If a sufficient account balance is found, the bank centerdevice 3 sends to the ATM terminal unit 2 that its processings areconsummated normally (step 926). The ATM terminal unit 2 stands by toreceive an information on a new stored balance that the bank centerdevice 3 sends after the normal processing consummation notice (step927). This new stored balance is the amount sent back from the ATMterminal unit 2 after the replenishing amount and the current storedbalance are added together within the cashless medium 1. After thereceiving is consummated, the bank center device 3 revises the depositledger file 321 by subtracting the replenishing amount from thecustomer's account balance memorized in the deposit ledger file 321 by arevising processing (step 928). Next, the bank center device 3 revisesthe non-settled fund file 322 by adding the replenishing amount to thebalance of the non-settled fund file 322. When the file revision isconsummated, the bank center device 3 stores a record by writing the newstored balance of the cashless medium 1 received in a log storageprocessing (step 930) into the medium balance log file 324. Then, thebank center device 3 notices the ATM terminal unit 2 that it hasconsummated its processings in a sending processing (step 931).

If the bank center device 3 finds that the transaction kind from the ATMterminal unit 2 is a redepositing in a transaction kind judgingprocessing (step 941), the bank center device 3 sends a processingcontinuation to the ATM terminal unit 2 (step 942). The bank centerdevice 3 stands by to receive the data on the redepositing amount andthe new stored balance of the cashless medium 1 from the ATM terminalunit 2 (step 943). On receiving the data from the ATM terminal unit 2,the bank center device 3 revises the deposit ledger file 321 by addingthe redepositing amount data to the customer's account balance 321 in anadding processing (step 944). Then, the bank center device 3 revises thenon-settled fund file 322 by subtracting the redepositing amount fromthe balance of the non-settled fund file 322 in a subtracting processing(step 945). Thus, the bank center device 3 enables a customer toredeposit the amount from the cashless medium 1 to his deposit account.The cashless medium 1 hands control over to a processing of logging thecashless medium 1 (step 930) and notifies the ATM terminal unit 2 thatthe bank center device 3 has consummated its processings by aconsummating processing (step 931).

If the bank center device 3 finds a transaction from the ATM terminalunit 2 to be neither a replenishing processing nor a redepositing in thetransaction kind judging, the transaction is processed as anothertransaction the bank center device 3 performs in step 946.

A seller can make a fund settlement of the seller ledger file 323 bybilling the amount stored in the sales tallying file 53 within the POSterminal device to a bank. The bank center device 3 receives the data ofthe sales tallying file 53 from the POS terminal device (step 951), asshown in FIG. 10B. On consummating the data receipt, the bank centerdevice 3 notifies the POS terminal device of the data receiptconsummation (step 952), and moves to a decoding processing of thereceived data (step 953). The codified part is the codification of thesales tallying file 53, and its content becomes the same as asimultaneously sent ordinary text part of the sales tallying file 53when it is decoded. To confirm it, the bank center device 3 performs amatching check of the decoded result of the codified part and theordinary text part in a validity judgment processing (step 955). If anunmatched datum is found, the sent sales tallying file 53 is not deemedto be valid, and the bank center device 3 performs an extraordinaryprocessing (step 950). The bank center device 3 judges that the datasent from the POS terminal device 4 are valid only after all of the dataare matched. The bank center device 3 rearranges the data by an issuinginstitution in a processing of data sorting that uses the bank number inthe sales tallying file 53 as a key (step 956). The bank center device 3judges the data on the sales tallying file 53 with the bank number ofthe bank center device 3 (step 957), and sorts out the data pertainingto the particular bank that owns the bank center device 3. The bankcenter device 3 deducts the data of the particular bank from the balanceof the non-settled fund file 322 in a non-settled fund subtractionprocessing (step 961) and revises the non-settled fund file 322. Next,if the bank center device 3 finds the amount data of the cashless medium1 issued by another bank in an another bank data judging processing, thebank center device 3 performs a processing of creating exchange billingdata for the other bank (step 962). The bank center device 3 revises theprocessing of drawing funds to the seller ledger file 323 in a funddrawing processing (step 959), and performs the fund drawing to theseller ledger file 323 of the seller that sent the sales tallying file53, and consummates the processing.

The following is a description of each unit necessary for an electronicmoney transaction.

We assume here the use of the multi-function IC card 21 as the cashlessmedium 1 for an electronic purse processing, and the POS terminal devicefor a seller's reading/writing terminal unit, and the ATM terminal unit2 for a bank's reading/writing terminal unit.

(1) A Basic Operation of the Multi-function IC Card 21 (Refer to FIG.6.)

In the initial condition of the multi-function IC card 21 that is issuedby a bank to its depositor, the bank number and the deposit accountnumber of the issuer are stored in the amount information memory part212 and keywords, such as the personal identification code preregisteredby the depositor, are stored in the keyword memory part 213.

If the card is taken out (J1), its power is confirmed to be turned on(J3) by hitting a power key (J2), and the personal identification codeis inputted properly (J4). Then the multi-function IC card 21 is in aworking condition (J5). When an authorized user wants to confirm thestored amount, such as in a case as of a disbursement from his bankdeposit account or immediately before a purchase, he hits a referencekey KS (J6) and the current stored balance is displayed on the displaypart 215 (J7).

When he further hits the reference key KS (J8), the date of the mostrecent (i.e. the last) transaction is displayed (J9). When he furtherhits the reference key KS (J10), the amount of the most recent (i.e. thelast) transaction is displayed (J11). When he further hits the referencekey KS, the date and amount of the next most recent transaction isdisplayed in LIFO order. This display can be used as information for ahome ledger entry.

Since the multi-function IC card 21 has few display digits in thepreferred embodiment of this invention, they sequentially display thedate and the amount of the transaction with two hittings of thereference key KS. However, if the display digits or rows are increased,a simultaneous display of the date and amount of more than onetransaction become possible, for instance with a single hitting of thereference key KS.

The card in a working condition keeps the status of power-on, while itis inserted to the card reading/writing unit 52 or the ATM terminal unit2, but after it is ejected from them, its power is turned off by anautomatic time off function after an elapse of a predetermined timeperiod (J13). When the power is on, the power of the multi-function ICcard 21 is turned off at the moment when the power key is hit (J12).

Also, in a status of J7, where the balance is displayed in the displaypart 215, a hitting of a zero key (J14) puts the card in a shoppingprocessing status. If a power key is hit (J15) or time is out in thisstatus (J7), the card is put in power-off status (J16).

Meanwhile, there are two cases for a wrong input of the personalidentification code in a key input status of the personal identificationcode (J4).

If the limit number of wrong inputs of the personal identification codeis exceeded, the card is put in an error status (J17). When time is upor the power key is hit (J18), the card is put in a power-off status(J19). In the preferred embodiment of this invention, the cashlessmedium 1 memorizes the change into this status, and the cashless medium1 displays (J17) on its display part 215 that the card is in an errorstatus and cannot restore its normal status (J3), even if the power keyis hit thereafter.

If the limit number of wrong inputs of the personal identification codeis not exceeded, the cashless medium 1 displays (J21) an error of awrong input of the personal identification code, such as "E", on itsdisplay part 215. Another key hitting puts the cashless medium 1 in astatus of J4 again. Alternatively, if a key is not hit, the card is putinto a power-off status (J23) when time is up. In the preferredembodiment of this invention, since the number of wrong inputs of thepersonal identification code is memorized in its memory means 11, evenif the power is turned off and even if the power key is hit again, aftertime is up (J22), the cashless medium 1 is up into a status (J4), aslong as the cashless medium 1 is in a status where the limit number ofwrong inputs of the personal identification code is not exceeded.

(2) An Amount Replenishment to the Cashless Medium 1 (Refer to FIG. 11.)

When the stored amount is replenished from the deposit account with theATM terminal unit 2, the owner has to put the multi-function IC card 21in a working status (J5) by the actions so far described. If he insertsit in the ATM terminal unit 2 by performing a predetermined inputtingoperation, the stored balance is replenished, and the display part 215displays the amount and it could be substituted for a receipt.

After detecting an input to instruct an amount replenishment with atransaction selection key and the card insertion (K2), the ATM terminalunit 2 reads the stored bank number and account number from the card(K3, K4). After verifying its validity, the ATM terminal unit 2 standsby to review the input of the personal identification code and theamount (K5). After a proper input operation is performed, the ATMterminal unit 2 sends the inputted replenishing amount to the card (K6).The card, i.e. the cashless medium 1, calculates the new stored balanceby adding this amount to the current stored balance (K7) and sends it tothe ATM terminal unit 2 (K8). The ATM terminal unit 2 reads all thesedata (the bank number, the account number, the personal identificationcode of the account, the inputted replenishing amount, and the newstored balance) (K9) and sends them in a batch to the bank center device3 (K10).

The bank center device 3 reads the proper deposit account ledger fromthe deposit ledger file 321 (K11), confirms the personal identificationcode (K12), revises the account balance (K13), updates the depositledger file 321 (K14), revises the non-settled fund file 322 by addingthe inputted replenishing amount (K15), writes the new stored balance tothe medium log file 324 (K16), and sends a transaction consummationnotice to the ATM terminal unit 2 that all these processings have beenconsummated (K17).

After receiving the notice, the ATM terminal unit 2 sends a transactionconsummation order to the card, i.e. the cashless medium 1 (K18), thecashless medium 1 rewrites the stored balance (K19), stores atransaction record by creating it (K20), displays the replenishingamount to its display part 215 (K21) and consummates all processings.After receiving a notice that the card's processings have beenconsummated from the card (K21), the ATM terminal unit 2 ejects the card(K22). Thereafter, the cashless medium 1 displays a replenishing amount(K23) in its display part 215, and turns its own power off (K24) by ahitting the power key or by turning off automatically when time is up.In extraordinary cases discussed earlier such as the mismatch of thepersonal identification code, the account balance deficiency, thecorresponding processings are performed as shown in the flow chartsshown later.

A redepositing of an excess stored amount to the deposit account isperformed basically in the same manner as the amount replenishment tothe cashless medium 1, although the steps are more or less different inthe input of the personal identification code and its confirmation.

(3) A Shopping With the Cashless Medium 1 (Refer to FIG. 12.)

At a shopping check out time, if an owner of the cashless medium 1, i.e.the multi-function IC card 21, inserts the multi-function IC card 21 inworking order into a seller POS terminal device 4, the purchase amounttotal is deducted from the stored balance. The purchase amount deductedfrom the multi-function IC card 21 is displayed in the display part 215of the multi-function IC card 21, which amount can be matched with ashopping receipt received separately.

When the card reading/writing unit 52 detects an insertion of themulti-function IC card 21 in a working status (M1), it stands by (M2)after reading the bank number and keyword outputted from themulti-function IC card 21 (M3). When a summation key is hit (M4) afterall the sales amounts are tallied, the POS register unit 51 computes thesum (M5). Then, after detecting a card insertion (M6), the POS registerunit 51 sends the purchase amount to the card reading/writing unit 52(M7). The card reading/writing unit 52 sends the purchase amount to themulti-function IC card 21 through its card reading/writing part 521(M8). The multi-function IC card 21 rewrites the stored balance (M10),stores the transaction record by creating it (M11), and displays thededucted amount in its display part 215 (M12). The multi-function ICcard 21 then sends the transaction record to the POS terminal device 4(M13). The card reading/writing unit 52 stores the tallied sum of thesales amount with the multi-function IC card 21 sorted by the issuingbank of the multi-function IC card 21 in the sales tallying file 53 byrevising its memory (M14), and notifies the POS register unit 51 of thetransaction consummation (M15) and ejects the card (M16). The POSregister unit 51 that receives the consummation notice issues a receipt(M18) after making a tally (M17).

When ejected from the POS terminal device 4, the multi-function IC card21 displays the deducted amount on its display part 215 (M19) and turnsits power off (M20) when time is up or the power key is hit.

(4) Depositing of the Seller's Sales to its Bank (Refer to FIG. 13.)

After finishing the sales activities, the seller clears the POS terminaldevice 4. With a clearing input (N1), the card reading/writing part 521fixes the sales tallying file (so that it become temporarilyunchangeable) and sends an instruction (N2), as well as making a sendingmessage by codification (N3) and sends the bank center device 3 of thepredesignated by the POS terminal device 4 (N4).

The bank center device 3 receives such messages (N5), decodes them (N6)and classifies them into a home bank part and a foreign bank part (N7,N10). The bank center device 3 revises the non-settled fund file 322 bydeducting the amount in the home bank part (N8) and credit the seller'sdeposit account by revising the seller ledger file 323 (N9). The amountin the foreign bank part is billed to the appropriate bank through theexchange clearance system (N11) and credits the seller's deposit accountafter the non-settled fund file 322 of the appropriate bank is prepaided(N12) and its consummation is confirmed (N13). Thus, all settlements areconcluded.

(5) A Method for Compensating for the Failure of the Cashless Medium 1

Cash can be used at any time, unless it's lost, but the cashless medium1, i.e. the multi-function IC card 21, becomes unusable when it fails,whether it has a stored balance or not. The owner has to go to bank tohave his failed card exchanged. However, in this system, wherein theindividual transaction detail is not controlled, the bank has to make aformula for the amount of compensation, such as the following and askthe owner of the multi-function IC card 21 for an agreement.

First, the bank center device 3 searches the stored balance of themulti-function IC card 21 at the most recent transaction time from themedium balance log file 324, which is the maximum amount ofcompensation.

Then, the bank analyzes the trend (the rate of stored amount depletion)of the commercial transactions made with the multi-function IC card 21to estimate the current stored balance from the last ATM transactiondate. The sum of the estimated current balances will tend to approximatethe sum of the actual current balances, by the law of large numbers. Theestimated current balance is paid out from the non-settled fund file322, the amount of difference from what the card owner claims is made upfor (within the balance of the medium balance log file 324), and the newstored balance is computed by adding these two amounts. This sum is thenstored in the amount information memory part 212 of the multi-functionIC card 21 that is issued to the owner as a replacement. This differencecould ordinarily be an overpayment, the loss of which could be coveredby an insurance policy.

Since the deposit data is separated by the bank number into the homebank part and the foreign bank part, the revising of the seller ledgerfile 323 is applied with the existing settlement method, wherein thehome bank part is treated as a cash deposit and can be used immediately,whereas the foreign bank part is treated as a not-yet-cleared-funddeposit and cannot be used immediately.

In this invention's preferred embodiment of the POS terminal device 4which accommodates the cashless medium 1, i.e. the multi-function ICcard 21, the POS register unit 51 is explained. In addition, if vendingmachines are equipped with a mechanism that accommodates themulti-function IC card 21 so that a ticket, a pack of cigarettes, atelephone card, a drink, etc. can be purchased, more commercialtransactions become cashless enabling the electronic purse system to beused as a general purpose paying method.

This invention enables completely cashless commercial transactions,because a commercial transaction is made with exchanges of the amountinformation written in the cashless medium 1.

Since an ATM terminal unit 2 set at a place like a bank office will onlyneed exchange of amount information, and no longer need physicalexchange of money, the ATM terminal unit 2 can be made much smaller.

Since the non-settled fund file 322 stores only the sum of the amountinformation written in more than one cashless medium 1, its memorycapacity does not have to be large.

Since a seller will no longer have to process a cumbersome commercialtransaction currently required with a credit card and, instead, willonly have to process the sum of the amount in the amount informationgained from more than one commercial transaction classified by the banknumber, the seller can process the commercial transaction more quicklythan with other settlement processings. Besides, since few tickets willbe required, unlike a commercial transaction made with a credit card,paperwork will be simplified.

This card will enable total elimination of bad debt loss occurring witha credit card when a commercial transaction is executed without approvalfrom the credit card company. Thus, the seller can accept themulti-function IC card 21 with confidence.

Therefore, this invention enables easily operable cashless transactions.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cashless medium card, comprising:an externalinterface for receiving from an adding terminal device a transferredcharging amount of money to be added to the cashless medium card andfrom a subtracting terminal a first purchase amount to be subtractedfrom the cashless medium card; a memory storing a second amountcorresponding to a current cash balance, the current balance initiallybeing the transferred charging amount; and a processor coupled to saidinterface and said memory, which operates within a cashless systemwithout requiring an identity of a holder, subtracting the first amountfrom the second amount to determine a remaining amount representingavailable cash of the holder of said cashless medium card and forstoring the remaining amount as a renewed second amount in said memoryand said interface transferring the first amount from the cashlessmedium card to the subtracting terminal device.
 2. A cashless mediumcard, comprising:electronic storage storing a current cash balance ofsaid cashless medium card; and a transaction unit interfacing withexternal terminal devices to change the current cash balance withoutusing an identity of a holder of said cashless medium card, thetransaction unit of the cashless medium card, in a charging operation,transferring a first transferred amount of money from one of theexternal terminal devices to said storage and adding the firsttransferred amount to the current cash balance and, in a purchaseoperation, the transaction unit of the cashless medium card,transferring a second amount of money from said storage to another oneof the external terminal devices and subtracting the second amount fromthe current cash balance.
 3. A cashless medium card comprisinginteractive electronic storage storing a holder identityless currentcash balance and comprising means for transferring a first amount ofmoney from a first terminal to said storage and for transferring asecond amount from said storage to a second terminal device.
 4. Acashless medium card, comprising:a memory storing a current cashbalance; an external interface transferring, in a charging operation,from a first terminal device a first amount of money to said memorychanging the current cash balance of said cashless medium card andtransferring, in a purchase operation, a second amount of money fromsaid memory to a second terminal device and changing the current cashbalance of said cashless medium card; and a processor coupled to saidinterface and said memory, operating with the second terminal devicewithout requiring an identity of a holder of said cashless medium card,changing the current cash balance by the second amount to determine aremaining amount representing available cash of the holder of saidcashless medium card and storing the remaining amount in said memory asan updated current cash balance.
 5. A card as recited in claim 4,further comprising a key interface coupled to said processor andallowing the holder to enter a password, said processor validating thepassword prior to changing the current cash balance.
 6. A card asrecited in claim 5, further comprising a display coupled to saidprocessor and capable of displaying the current cash balance, saidprocessor displaying the current cash balance on said display after thevalidating.